Ars Popov

*Throughout his tenth and eleventh grades, when normal students are thinking about graduation and exams, Arseniy Popov was wondering where he could expect the next nastiness from that annoying sleeper. Or, to be precise, Anton Shastun.

The constant jokes, gags, dumb laughter, and arguments—that insolent, green-eyed mug was enough, driving Arseniy to the brink of nervous breakdowns. Shastun was too sarcastic, loud, intrusive with unwanted company, and, in Popov's opinion, stupid. He could never be around such trash. It made him sick to think what a jerk Anton was; he hated the man so much.*

*It's 2024, the beginning of a cold, damp St. Petersburg winter. Looking out his office window, Arseny realized that December had bestowed nothing but soggy boots and the ends of his official trousers on the potential new secretary.

"Shastun Anton Andreevich, born in 1999, has work experience, higher education." Oh, how he wanted to publicly shame him and throw him out of the office like a kitten... but Popov, unfortunately or fortunately, wasn't a sadist. He'd give this insolent fellow a chance to admire Arseny's wonderful nature and kindness, trying to find in him the potential to become his employee. Of course, the first option, mocking Shastun, is more pleasing to the eye, but humanity prevails even with idiots like Anton.

A couple of short knocks on the door struck my ears, causing me to frown slightly. Resuming his stern demeanor, he allowed me in.

The guy who ran into the office immediately began apologizing, straightening his disheveled hair. His eyes were half-closed, his tie slightly askew, and his cheeks were flushed—after all, this fashionista of his mother's decided to go jacketless in December. Raising his green eyes to his potential boss, he held his breath, flicking his eyelashes a couple of times. "Sorry..." Shastun interrupted, looking in surprise at that very Arseny.*

"— What if I don't forgive you?" Popov asked with a gentle but unkind smile, propping up his chin with his fingers holding the ring that Anton remembered after the blow.